Cross-Linking Modular Drawer Divider and Method of Use

ABSTRACT

Storage drawers become more cumbersome to use as multiple objects are placed in the drawers without proper compartmenting. The invention uses multiple H-shaped beams of various lengths to create modular compartments in multiple types of storage drawers. The H-shaped beams have notches in them allowing multiple attachments to be placed depending on how the H-beams are aligned with respect to each other. The H-beams can be connected at the lateral ends to extend the compartment lengths and at points perpendicular to a primary H-beam. The invention may additionally use H-beam trims to prevent the attachments from inadvertently being removed from the notches in the connected H-beams.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the organization of drawers of multiple kinds including toolbox drawers, rolling tool chest, utility truck chests, home drawers, and others. The invention more specifically relates to organizing drawers using modular pieces in multiple configurations with deliberately loose connecting pieces to better fit in the multiple types of drawers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commercially available storage drawers become more cumbersome to use with more items placed in the drawers. For example, an often-used screwdriver may shift to the back of a tool drawer, forcing the user to open the drawer fully every time the user intends to use the screwdriver. Moreover, the drawer itself may warp such that rigid drawer dividers are less useful.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Toward this and other objects that are made obvious in light of the present disclosure, a device and method are provided for us with or for incorporation with a drawer of a storage device. The device comprises a first H-shaped beam, or first rail. The first rail has a first vertical column and a second vertical column with a first notch on the first vertical column and a second notch on the second vertical column. The first notch and the second notch are parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the first vertical column and the second vertical column. The device also includes an I-shaped attachment to connect the first H-shaped beam to a second H-shaped beam with analogous characteristics to the first H-shaped beam. The second H-shaped beam has a third vertical column and a fourth vertical column with a third notch on the third vertical column and a fourth notch on the fourth vertical column. The attachment comprises of an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section. The upper section slides into a first hollow area formed between the first vertical column and the second vertical column. The middle section slides into the first notch. The lower section slides into a second hollow area formed between the third vertical column and the fourth vertical column.

The device may additionally comprise of an H-beam covering, or trim. The trim is placed over a first H-beam preferably after the H-beam is connected to a second H-beam with an attachment. The attachment cannot be removed while the trim is connected to the first H-beam, so the connection between the first H-beam and the second H-beam cannot be broken until the trim is removed from the first H-beam. A second H-beam trim may be installed onto the second H-beam to reinforce the connection between the first H-beam and the second H-beam. The trip may be formed alternately flexible or rigid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an H-beam, or rail, shown in a front view, a side view, and a top view; a top view of an extension attachment; a top view of a Tee-90 attachment; a top view of a cross attachment; a top view of a first rail and a second rail connected with the extension attachment; and a top view of a third rail connected with a fourth rail with a Tee-90 attachment and with the third rail connected to a fourth rail on a left side of the third rail with the cross attachment, the third rail also connected to a fifth rail with the cross attachment on a right side of the third rail;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the H-beam of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the front view of the H-beam of FIG. 1 and a side view of the same H-beam;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the extension attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the Tee-90 attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the cross attachment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of an H-beam trim and a front view of the H-beam trim connected to an H-beam of FIG. 1 at the top of the H-beam.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events.

Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methods and materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a side view of a rail 100, or “H-beam” 100 accompanied by the front view of the H-beam 100. The H-beam 100 includes a first vertical column 101, a second vertical column 102, and a hollow area 103 between the first vertical column 101 and the second vertical column 102. A side surface 104 contains at least one gap 105 so that an attachment can be connected to the H-beam 100.

A top view shows a first H-beam 106 connected to a second H-beam 107. An extension attachment 108 is paced in the hollow area 103 of the first H-beam 106 and the second H-beam 107 to keep the two beams connected. A formation shows a primary H-beam 109 connected with a top secondary H-beam 110 with a Tee-90 attachment 111. The primary H-beam 109 is also connected to a right middle secondary H-beam 112 and a left middle secondary H-beam 113 with a cross attachment 114. The cross attachment 114 connects the primary H-beam 109 to the right middle secondary H-beam 112 and the left middle second H-beam at the same time in contrast to the Tee-90 attachment 111 connecting the primary H-beam 109 to a singular beam, the top secondary H-beam 110.

One or more H-beams 100, 106, 107, 109, 110, 112 & 113 and/ or links 108, 111, & 114 may be or comprise (a.) aluminum alloy 6061; (b.) a metal or metal alloy; (c.) a rigid plastic ; (d.) a rigid composite; (e.) a wood vinyl composite; and/or (f.) a suitable rigid metallic, composite, organic or inorganic material in singularity or combination as known in the art.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an H-beam 100. The H-beam 100 includes a first vertical column 201, a second vertical column 202, and a hollow area 203 between the first vertical column 201 and the second vertical column 202. A notch 204 is on a first inside edge of the first vertical column 201 and a second inside edge of the second vertical column 202. The length of the first and second inside edge 205 is specified according to the length of an attachment and according to the position of a middle section 206 of the H-beam 100. The H-beam 100, or rail 100, is shown in FIG. 2 to have a width of 0.375 inch. The H-beam 100 is shown to have a height H of 1.150 inches and an orthogonal width W of 0.375 inch.

The width dimension A of the notch 204 is preferably greater in width than the width dimension B of the extension link 108, as shown in FIG. 4, by 0.006 inch plus or minus 0.003 inch. The width dimension C of the first vertical column 201 and second vertical column 202 is to be within a tolerance of minus 0.002 inch to plus 0.005 inch.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an H-beam 100 accompanied by the front view of the H-beam 100. A first vertical column 301, second vertical column 302, hollow area 303, and a notch 304 correspond to the first vertical column 201, the second vertical column 202, the hollow area 203, and the notch 204. A side surface 305 contains at least one gap 306 so that an attachment can be connected to the H-beam 100.

The H-beam 100, or rail 100, is shown in FIG. 3 to preferably have a length L of 6.000 inches, an a height H of 1.150 inches, wherein the width of 0.375, the height and the length of the rail 100 are each defined uniquely and individually as one of three mutually orthogonal axes.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an extension link 108. The extension link 108 is shaped like an I-beam with an upper portion 401, a bottom portion 402, and a middle portion 403 with a list of dimensions. It is understood that the length, the width and the height of the extension link 108 are each defined uniquely and individually as one of three mutually orthogonal axes. The extension link 108 is shown in FIG. 4 to preferably have a length L of 0.790 inch, a width W of each of the bottom portion 402 and the upper portion 401 of 0.375 inch, and a width W of the middle portion 403 of 0.190 inch. The width dimension B of the middle portion 403 of the extension link 108 is preferably smaller by 0.006 inch plus or minus 0.003 inch than the width dimension A of the notch 204 of the H-beam 100 as shown in FIG. 2. The height H of the extension link 108 is preferably less than 0.340 and is orthogonal to both the width W and the length L.

FIG. 5 is the side view of a Tee-90 link 111. The Tee-90 link is also shaped like an I-beam with an upper portion 501, a bottom portion 502, and a middle portion 503. The width dimension of the middle portion 503 is to be smaller than either the upper portion 501 or the bottom portion 502. It is understood that the length, the width and the height of the Tee-90 link 111 are each defined uniquely and individually as one of three mutually orthogonal axes. The Tee-90 link 111 is shown in FIG. 5 to preferably have a length L of 0.678 inch, a width W of each of the bottom portion 502 and the upper portion 501 of 0.375 inch, and a width W of the middle portion 503 of 0.190 inch. The width dimension B of the middle portion 503 of the Tee link 111 is preferably smaller by 0.008 inch plus or minus 0.003 inch than the width dimension A of the notch 204 of the H-beam 100 as shown in FIG. 2. The height H of the Tee-90 link 111 is preferably less than 0.340 and is orthogonal to both the width W and the length L.

FIG. 6 is the side view of a cross link 114. The cross link 114 is shaped like two I-beams stacked upon one another. The cross link 114 has a top section 601 and a base section 602. The cross attachment also has an upper connector section 603, a middle section 604, and a lower connector section 605. The width dimensions of the upper connection section 603 and lower connector section 605 are each smaller than the width of the middle section 604.

The width W of the top section 601, the bottom section 602 and the middle section 604 are each preferably 0.375 inch. The width W of the upper connection section 603 and lower connector section 605 are preferably 0.190 inch. Furthermore, the width dimension B of both the upper connection section 603 and lower connector section 605 of the cross link 114 are each more preferably smaller by 0.006 inch plus or minus 0.003 inch than the width dimension A of the notch 204 of the H-beam 100 as shown in FIG. 2. The height H of the cross link 114 is preferably less than 0.340 and is orthogonal to both the width W and the length L. The total length L of the cross link 114 is preferably 1.165 inches. It is understood that the length, the width and the height of the cross link 114 are each defined uniquely and individually as one of three mutually orthogonal axes.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a H-beam trim 700 and a front view of a H-beam trim 700 attached to an H-beam 100. The trim 700 has a top trim section 701 with a first prong 702 and second prong 703 with a space 704 between the first prong 702 and the second prong 703. When the trim 700 is attached to the H-beam 100, the top trim section 701 sits above a first vertical column 705 and a second vertical column 706. A hollow space 707 is between the first vertical column 705 and the second vertical column 706. The first prong 702 and the second prong 703 fit into a first notch 708 and a second notch 709 on the H-beam to keep the H-beam attachment from disengaging with the H-beam 100.

Two separate embodiments of the trim 700 may be separately coupled with the H-beam 100, wherein a first trim 700 is partially inserted into to the upper hollow area 203 of the H-beam 100 and a second trim 700 is partially inserted into the lower hollow area 203 of the same H-beam 700.

The trim 700 may be or comprise (a.) vinyl; (b.) a composite of wood and vinyl; and/or (c.) a suitable flexible metallic, composite, organic or inorganic material in singularity or combination as known in the art. Alternatively or additionally, the trim 700 may be or comprise (a.) aluminum alloy 6061; (b.) a metal or metal alloy; (c.) a rigid plastic ; (d.) a rigid composite; (e.) a wood vinyl composite; and/or (f.) a suitable rigid metallic, composite, organic or inorganic material in singularity or combination as known in the art.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or steps described. Rather, the specific features and steps are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Therefore, while illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the device allows for multiple configurations of a connected H-beam formation in means other than those described in the figures. Furthermore the general design of a H-beam attachment piece allows the dimensions of a constructed H-beam to be modified as along as the attachment piece can still be used to connect the constructed H-beams together. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A device comprising: a first rail, the first rail including a first cavity defined by a first right wall and a first left wall, wherein the first right wall defines a first right slot; a second rail, the second rail including a second cavity defined by a second right wall and a second left wall, wherein the second right wall defines a second right slot and the second left wall defines a second left slot; a connector, the connector including a first block, a stem, and a second block, the stem adapted to extend through the first right slot and into the second rail between the second right wall and the second left wall; the connector first block having a width larger than the first right slot and adapted to fit within the first cavity; and the connector second block having a width greater than the width of the second cavity and adapted to at least partially extend through the second right slot and the second left slot, whereby the connector removably couples the first rail and the second rail by simultaneous placement of the first block within the first cavity of the first rail and of the second block within the second cavity of the second rail.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first left wall of the first rail defines a first left slot, the first left slot having a width greater than the connector stem and less than the width of the connector first block, whereby the connector removably couples the first rail and the second rail by simultaneous placement within both the second cavity of the second rail and the first left slot of the first rail.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first rail defines a plurality of slots, each slot having a width greater than the connector stem and less than the width of the connector first block, whereby the connector removably couples the first rail and the second rail by simultaneous extension through one of the plurality of slots and placement within both the second cavity of the second rail and the first left slot of the first rail.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the width of the second cavity of the second rail is within ten percent of the width of the first right slot of the first rail.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second block is adapted to extend fully through the second right slot of the second right wall of the second rail.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second block is adapted to extend fully through the second left slot of the second right wall of the second rail.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second block is adapted to extend fully through the second right slot of the second right wall of the second rail.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first trim, the first trim adapted to form a friction fit with the first rail and enclosing the first block within the first cavity.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the first trim is elastic.
 10. The device of claim 8, further comprising a second trim, the second trim adapted to form a friction fit with the second rail and enclosing the second block within the second cavity.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the second trim is elastic.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first trim is rigid.
 13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second trim, the second trim adapted to form a friction fit with the second rail and enclosing the second block within the second cavity.
 14. A device comprising: a first U-rail having a first slot; a second U-rail having a second slot and a third slot; a connector adapted to extend fully through the first slot, at least partially through the second slot and at least partially through the third slot; and a trim adapted to simultaneously maintain the connector partially within the first U-rail and the second U-rail.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the trim simultaneously forms a friction fit with the first U-rail and the second U-rail.
 16. The device of claim 14, wherein the trim is elastic.
 17. The device of claim 14, wherein the trim comprises a first trim strip and a second trip strip, and the first trim strip maintains the connector partially within the first U-rail and the second trim strip maintains the connector partially within the second U-rail.
 18. The device of claim 14, wherein the connector is shaped to extend fully through the second slot.
 19. The device of claim 14, wherein the connector is shaped to extend fully through the third slot.
 20. A method comprising: providing the device of claim 14; simultaneously positioning the connector partially within the first U-rail and within the second U-rail; and positioning the trim to simultaneously maintain the connector partially within the first U-rail and the second U-rail, whereby the first U-rail and the second U-rail are coupled. 